Harley Davidson
Discussion
The Fat Bob is one of the better handling Harley’s for sure - it has forward controls and perhaps doesn’t look like the more traditional Harley.
Another consideration is the Low Rider S (or ST) as the handling is at least on par if not better - this has the mid controls which makes it more exciting in the twisties (for a Harley).
Whichever one you go for - they are so customisable and to get the best feeling you may need to consider changing the seat and bars/ riser setup. If you get a new bike you’ll at least want to get a stage 1 and a better sounding exhaust. A stage 2 with an uprated cam will make it perform a fair bit better too.
Have fun test riding
Another consideration is the Low Rider S (or ST) as the handling is at least on par if not better - this has the mid controls which makes it more exciting in the twisties (for a Harley).
Whichever one you go for - they are so customisable and to get the best feeling you may need to consider changing the seat and bars/ riser setup. If you get a new bike you’ll at least want to get a stage 1 and a better sounding exhaust. A stage 2 with an uprated cam will make it perform a fair bit better too.
Have fun test riding
never owned one, but years ago, late 90s i met a friend who had a old sportster, i had a r1 at the time and i had a hatred of harleys and took the p out of him at every opportunity.
anyway he persuaded me to have a go as he fancied a go on mine, i enjoyed it.
we rode about 60 odd miles, and i was just getting used to it by then, very different experience, but fun, so totaly get it.
The club thing tho is abit sad dentist with to much money for me.
ive still never had one tho, just not my thing, but can understand why some like them.
and crusing across america would be the perfect bike.
anyway he persuaded me to have a go as he fancied a go on mine, i enjoyed it.
we rode about 60 odd miles, and i was just getting used to it by then, very different experience, but fun, so totaly get it.
The club thing tho is abit sad dentist with to much money for me.
ive still never had one tho, just not my thing, but can understand why some like them.
and crusing across america would be the perfect bike.
OP what is it that is drawing you to the Harley?
I ask this as I had an urge for a sportster before. Ended up getting a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, ok it's a bit different to Harleys but it's great value (not sure if you can say that for HD?), it is old school feeling with being air cooled and simple to work on. There is a belt kit conversion out for them now which I'm also considering.
I ask this as I had an urge for a sportster before. Ended up getting a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, ok it's a bit different to Harleys but it's great value (not sure if you can say that for HD?), it is old school feeling with being air cooled and simple to work on. There is a belt kit conversion out for them now which I'm also considering.
An embarrassing update! Ended up swapping my BMW for a 800 V Strom, expect another Harley Davidson topic in a couple of years, thanks to all who posted I decided to go and do the NC500.
In one day
Which is what I did.
l left Tyneside on Saturday after lunch and stopped overnight at Dingwall. Yesterday morning - of course it was raining - it rained pretty much the wole time - I left at 05:30 and set out West.
Best bits
- nearly hitting an enormous stag who I thought was going to charge me. I ended up blaring the horn and he decided to jump back into the wilderness.
- The coffee shop after the Mouth causeway. Fire was on. Thank god. Gorgeous coffee and another ballsy Italian on a new Kawasaki Z900
- The bit of road that goes from Dingwall to Ullapool - wow.
- The bit of road from John O' Groats down the East coast - double wow.
Last night I stopped in Aviemore and today I tackled the Cairngorns through Braemar and Glenshee - the most incredible bit of road I've ever ridden - better than the Italian passes in my view. Massive plus, it was deserted and dry.
Great journey. I love that ignorant lump of Yankee metal!
In one day
Which is what I did.
l left Tyneside on Saturday after lunch and stopped overnight at Dingwall. Yesterday morning - of course it was raining - it rained pretty much the wole time - I left at 05:30 and set out West.
Best bits
- nearly hitting an enormous stag who I thought was going to charge me. I ended up blaring the horn and he decided to jump back into the wilderness.
- The coffee shop after the Mouth causeway. Fire was on. Thank god. Gorgeous coffee and another ballsy Italian on a new Kawasaki Z900
- The bit of road that goes from Dingwall to Ullapool - wow.
- The bit of road from John O' Groats down the East coast - double wow.
Last night I stopped in Aviemore and today I tackled the Cairngorns through Braemar and Glenshee - the most incredible bit of road I've ever ridden - better than the Italian passes in my view. Massive plus, it was deserted and dry.
Great journey. I love that ignorant lump of Yankee metal!
Edited by stuckmojo on Monday 8th July 09:23
Friend of mine had the 1200 sportster many years ago.
Good points
Looks good with single seat and small tank.
Bad points
Tank range, obviously useless.
Brakes are rubbish
Rear shocks are rubbish
Vibrations from the engine, hands will go numb, and your arms will feel like you been down the gym doing weights.
1200 SPORTSTER by Neil M, on Flickr
Good points
Looks good with single seat and small tank.
Bad points
Tank range, obviously useless.
Brakes are rubbish
Rear shocks are rubbish
Vibrations from the engine, hands will go numb, and your arms will feel like you been down the gym doing weights.
1200 SPORTSTER by Neil M, on Flickrblack-k1 said:
A500leroy said:
I'm getting a strong urge to try a 883 Sportster ( pre injection), anything I should know?
( I'd be coming from a C90 and previous bikes include Xj600,CBR 250/600,XSR700 and various Scoots)
Coming from a C90 you shouldn't notice the power reduction! ( I'd be coming from a C90 and previous bikes include Xj600,CBR 250/600,XSR700 and various Scoots)
lazybike said:
black-k1 said:
A500leroy said:
I'm getting a strong urge to try a 883 Sportster ( pre injection), anything I should know?
( I'd be coming from a C90 and previous bikes include Xj600,CBR 250/600,XSR700 and various Scoots)
Coming from a C90 you shouldn't notice the power reduction! ( I'd be coming from a C90 and previous bikes include Xj600,CBR 250/600,XSR700 and various Scoots)
So an evo 883 sportster engine is the same as a 1200, but with smaller bores. (sorry if you already know this)
I had a 1992 1200, and it looked great and I loved it. Yes tank was short range, and the vibes over 60mph did annoy.
The new models (some time around early/mid 2000's?) are rubber mounted engines so I'd assume a lot better.
Very basic, easy to service. No know engine weakness.
You get the simple pleasures of biking, and for some that's enough.
I had a 1992 1200, and it looked great and I loved it. Yes tank was short range, and the vibes over 60mph did annoy.
The new models (some time around early/mid 2000's?) are rubber mounted engines so I'd assume a lot better.
Very basic, easy to service. No know engine weakness.
You get the simple pleasures of biking, and for some that's enough.
I have enjoyed all the Harleys I have ridden, even though I have also owned my share of modern sports bikes too.
I have always had a soft spot for the WW2 WLA models, as in the ones they do up on "Wheels Through Time" on Youtube.
They are expensive though, I got blown out at £12k for the remains of one recently at auction. Think £25k for a nice one up and running.
My 2006 Heritage Softail looks a bit like one, so I painted it a bit like a WLA (Olive).
It is actually Harley Deadwood green which is found on a few recent models including the Softail Slim with the star on the tank. It is a metallic colour with clear lacquer over.
It is fuel injected and has been very reliable. I have kept an eye on the cam chain tensioners which look good at 19,000 miles.
It shares its life with my BMW R1250GS, that I also really like.
This is totally different of course, however I like both equally.
They come from different ends of the spectrum styling wise, however I like the look of both of them (maybe not together).
The BMW and the Harley do have a few things in common however-
They dont depreciate much
Both are easy to ride.
They are both large but the centre of gravity makes them feel light once on the go.
They have big engines with lots of low down torque.
Both have lots of character and are distinctive in there own right.
I have always had a soft spot for the WW2 WLA models, as in the ones they do up on "Wheels Through Time" on Youtube.
They are expensive though, I got blown out at £12k for the remains of one recently at auction. Think £25k for a nice one up and running.
My 2006 Heritage Softail looks a bit like one, so I painted it a bit like a WLA (Olive).
It is actually Harley Deadwood green which is found on a few recent models including the Softail Slim with the star on the tank. It is a metallic colour with clear lacquer over.
It is fuel injected and has been very reliable. I have kept an eye on the cam chain tensioners which look good at 19,000 miles.
It shares its life with my BMW R1250GS, that I also really like.
This is totally different of course, however I like both equally.
They come from different ends of the spectrum styling wise, however I like the look of both of them (maybe not together).
The BMW and the Harley do have a few things in common however-
They dont depreciate much
Both are easy to ride.
They are both large but the centre of gravity makes them feel light once on the go.
They have big engines with lots of low down torque.
Both have lots of character and are distinctive in there own right.
I’ve said it before but if you’re not after the classic Harley look then an xr1200 ticks a lot of boxes where other sportsters fall short
Rubber mounted engine for refinement
Fuel injected 80bhp at the ground
Proper suspension and brakes
Clutch is a bit heavy, it’s geared too short for cruising and 12l of fuel doesn’t get you very far but the seat will make you want a break first.
Rubber mounted engine for refinement
Fuel injected 80bhp at the ground
Proper suspension and brakes
Clutch is a bit heavy, it’s geared too short for cruising and 12l of fuel doesn’t get you very far but the seat will make you want a break first.
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